Truckie survives 22,000-volt shock after clipping powerline

A Victorian truck driver has survived a 22,000-volt shock after hitting powerlines in Geelong.

The surge caused three of the truck's tyres to blow and left holes in the earth after its tip tray clipped the overhead powerline on Bacchus Marsh road, Corio on Saturday, the Geelong Advertiser reports.

It also wiped out power to large parts of the Geelong suburb and neighbouring Norlane and caused several traffic lights to black out.

Corio Country Fire Authority senior station officer Steve Alcock said the truck was unloading gravel at about 8.45am when the accident occurred.

Mr Alcock said it appeared the driver escaped without so much as a burn.

"You don't get much higher than 22,000 volts. He's extremely lucky," he said.

A Powercor spokesman said the powerline struck by the truck was a "feeder line" which services 2038 homes in the area.